Lasting machine



v A. BATES LASTING MACHINE Filed June 18 1920 Fig.1.

/NVEN TUR Patented 2, 1923..

STATES main ARTHUR BATES, OF LEICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEVT JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LASTING MACHINE.

Application filed June 18, 1920. Serial No. 389,966.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ARTHUR BArns, a subject of the King of England, residing at Leicester, Leicestershire, England, have invented certain Improvements in Lasting Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for Working uppers 0v r lasts. The invention is herein shown and described as applied to a hand method lasting machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 584 .744, granted June 15. 1897, upon application of Ladd & h lclTeely. It is to be understood. however. that the invention is not limited in its application to machines of this type. I

The machine of said prior patent comprises a gripper and'mechanism for impartin to tho gripper a yielding updravv motion to pull the upper yieldingly about the last and an overdraw motion to lay the pulled upper down upon the last; it comprises also means for giving a plaitin: motion to the gripper to plait the upper which can be used in operating? upon such parts of the shoe where plaitinsr movement is desirable. In the said machine the plaitingr motionof the grip er is compound. being made up of a turning or twisting motion and a lateral mot on. It is to be understood. however, that the term plaitingr motion of the gripper is intended to co er either the twisting motion alone or the lateral motion alone as well as the compound motion'before men 'tioned.

A feature of the resent invention consists in means for effecting one portion of the upper pull ng movement unyieldingly and another portion vieldinuly. As herein shown one, portion of the upper pulling movement is eifected YiQldiIiQ'lV as for instance through suitable spring. and another portion is eftccted unyieldingly as for instance by pos tive connection between the gripper and its operating Preterablv and-as herein shown the upper pulling movement is continuous, means being provided to cause the positiveactuation of the gripper tobecome effective automaticallv at a predetermined pointin the upper pull n movement that a continuous dividedupdraiv pull is effected, one portion of Which is yielding and another portion positive.

.A further feature of the invention consists in means under the-control of the operator for varying the point in the upper pulling movement when the positive pulling of the upper will begin which means may be emran'r series.

ployed if desired to discontinue: entirely the positive portion of the upper pulling movementor to eliminate the yielding portion of the upper pulling movement and render the pulling movement entirely positive.

In lasting the toes of shoes upon machines of the hand method type above referred to it is frequently desirable toemploy meansfor slitting theupper so as to cause the plaits of the upper material at the toe to lie more smoothly upon the innersole, particularly when operating upon uppers of stiff or-thick material. A machine organized for such work is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 931,809, granted August 24.1909, In opon application of EJA. Stigeins. V cratingmachines of the. tvpe disclos'edinthe patentto Fitigeins it has been foundin practire that the movement imparted to the grip- .per through the v elding mechanism provided by the machine is not always sufficient to carry the gripper out of the Way of the slitting mechanism so that the knivesmav strike the gripper and become'dulled, thus necessitating the delay of sharpening them sprain. A feature of thepresent invention consists in an organization comprising means for elfectinsr the updraw pull of the gripper at first yieldintrly and then positivelyand means for slitting the upper after the positive updrawing of the-fupp er. has

[been initiated. Bv this organization there i s fullassurance that thearipper Will. be" carried beyond theslittinrz knives sothat there will be no dancer ofthelrnives engagingthe' gripper during their slitting action.

,ln machines having the general organization of that disclosed in. .the patent first above mentioned it is desirable toprovide a construction and arrangement such as that disclosed. in United States Letters Patent No. 1.060.967. qrantedMav 6. 1913 upon my application, wherein the plaiting movements imparted to the gripper begin prior to'the" overdraw movements; this arrangement be ug particularly advantageous in lasting the toe of shoe where the excess of upper materiaiis efr'ectively disposed in l'asted posias described in my said patent. In connec- I slitting knife with the gripper.

' for e fect updraw mov.

' or positively.

. aottom:

ment of the tion with the toe lasting effected by the machine of my prior patent it is particularly desirable to employ slitting mechanism such as that disclosed in the above mentioned patent to Stiggins. Heretofore, however, it has been found impracticable to employ the slitting mechanism in combination with the plaiter timing of my prior patent because of the cliiiiculty in avoiding contact of the T his difficulty is overcome by the present invention. Accordingly a further feature of the invention consists in an. organization including means for initiating the plaiting movements prior to the overdraw movement, means for slitting the upper. and means for effecting the 'updra-w pull first through yielding means, and then through unyielding means By this organizat on the plaiting movement'is begun during the later unyielding portion of the pull so that the gripper is out of the way of the slittingknife when it operates to slit the upper preferably at the completion of the updraw movement. 1 i i V V Still another feature of the invention consis sin organization including means for itiating the plait' "movements of the ripper during the y y malportion of the rent po..,t1vely. V

'ionfidisclosed in my said i The .organiz prior patent includes means for givingthe wiper or tack carrier .ajstep by-step move ment with a pauseibetween the steps. A further feature of the present invention consists in the combination of means for moving the wiper or tack carriers step by step with a pause between the steps and means r0: effecting the updraw first yie dingly and thenpositively. Preferably and shown. the construct" .nd arrangement .s 1S such th the wiper or block advances to hold the upper in engagement withl'he' edge only of the shoe bottom and then pauses during the positive end portion or finaletof the up raw, allowingthe stock to be drawn more tightly over the last before advancing to. wipe it down on the last In the organization disclosed in my aforesaid prior patent and as herein shown, means isprovided for repeating the plaiting movement of the gripper in a single cycle of the machine. Accordir iv a still further feature of the inven ion consists in means for repeating the plaiting move H gripper or wri gling the gr pper; and means for effecti g "the final portion of theaipdraw positively. Preferablythe repeated plaiting movements overlap the periodoffinal i. yieldin 11P- draw and the upper is thns more thoroughly pdraw movement andof the gripper. present lnventlon means is provided for imtensioned and the plait 'more effectively produced and carried nearer to the edge of the last where, preferably, at this time the up ier is being held to the last by the wiper after its first advance and before its final wiping movement to lay the plait onthe shoe bottom.

Theseand other features of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing.

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a machine embodying the present invention, the frame and certain parts being omitted for the sake of clearness in illustration,

Fig. 2 is a sideelevation on a larger scale of parts shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is substantially a plan view showing a slitting knife and movements of the gripper in their operation on a shoe upper. Qln its general organization the machine in which the present invention is embodied is similar to that disclosed in the Ladd &

lilcl eeley patent above mentioned.

As shown in the drawing the a gripper o ierating mechanism COHIPIlSGS an updraw of the rear end of the lever 10 are pivoted at 34.. The rod extends loosely through a block 86 and a helical spring 38 is located on the rod between the block 86 and an adjusting nut to. Bet-weenthe block ,36 and the bloclr 32 is a wedge d2which may .be moved by a rod d4: extending to the front of the machine to vary the normal tension of the sprin 38. The above construction will be recognized asusual in machines ofthis type and is for the purpose of giving a, yielding quaiitytoflthe updraw movement In accordance with the parting a positive or unyielding quality to the updraw movement of the gripper for any desired part of theupdraw movement of the cam slide 22.. 'lhisis effected, in the illustrative embodiment of the invention, by providing on the front face of the block 32, to which the updraw lever 10 is pivoted, a series of upwardly directed ratchet teeth with which a pawl member -16 co-operatesf .The pawl member 4-6 is pivot-ed at d8 to the" slide 22 and has a tooth which is urged toward the teeth 45 by spring plunger 52 mounted in the updraw lever :50 in position to engage the front face of the pawl member 46. Means is provided for holding the pawl member so that its tooth 50 will be out of engagement with the man la for any desired portion of the movementof the slide 22 and will then allow it to engage said teeth and cause the downward pull of the cam slide 22 to be transferred directly and positively "to the gripper, thus causing the updraw toibe positively effected. As shown, this means comprises a plate 52 having an opening through which the upper end of the pawl member 46 extends. Thejmember 46 has an inclined cam face 54 which, at a predetermined time in the downward movement of theslide 22, which of course carries the'pawl member I6 with it, allows the pawl tooth 50 to engage the teeth 45 so that the remainder of the movement of the slide 22 is transmitted positively to the lever 10 to effect a positive updraw movement of the gripper 14:.

To provide for varying the point in the cycle of the machine when this positive updraw movement will begin the plate 52 is arranged on a slide 56 mounted for vertical movement in a bracket 57 on the machine frame. Ve'rtical'movement of the plate 52 will of course cause thetooth 50 to engage the'teeth 45 earlier or later in the cycle of the machine. In order that the slide 56 may be conveniently moved by the operator to vary at will theamount of positive movementimparted to the gripper, a screw 58 is rotatably mounted in the bracket 57 at 59 and has threaded engagement with the slide 56; Fixed to the upper end of the screw 58 is a miter gear 62 which is engaged by a miter gear 64 fixed to a shaft 66 which is suitably supported for rotation in the machine frame and extends to the front of the machine where it is provided with a thumb head 68 by which it may be turned to adjust the plate 52 vertically and thus vary the time in the cycle when the tooth 50 will engage one of the teeth 45 and cause the remainder of the updraw to be positively effected.

This positive movement of the updraw, after the yielding portion of the updraw has taken place,-has been found very effective in dealing with short or scant uppers and up pors of heavy material on welt and McKay work, and has been found especially desirable in'combination with the following organization: The overdraw movement of the gripper 'is effected by a spring 70 acting on a thrust rod 72, movement of which is con trolled by a cam on the rear face of a cam block 74-. The plaiting movements of the gripper, including the lateral and twisting movements, are imparted bya mechanism of the usual construction operated by a cam path 76 formed in the front face of the cam block 74:. The timing of the over'draw and plaiting cams with, relation to the updraw cam 28 is such that'the plaiting motion will begin before the overdraw motion occurs and during the updraw motion of the gripper. In order that the plaiting motion may be repeated a plurality of times during the operation of the machine to produce a wriggling motion ofcthe gripper, the cam path 7 6 is provided with a plurality of undulations so as to actuate the plaiting mechanism a plurality of times during one rotation of the shaft'r78; A tack carrier 80, the lower face of which constitutes the wiper and whichis actuated through a slide 82 and lever 84 by a cam path 86, is made toadvance in two steps the first of which occurs at aboutthe time the yielding updraw movement is con clude'd to hold the upper against the last and to avoid the extension of plaiting wrinkles beyond the edge'of the last. -The second and final step of the wiper occurs after the V unyielding portion of the updraw has taken place and after the plaiting movement has progressed far enough to enable the wiper to lay or press the plaited upper down uponthe shoe bottom in lasted position, after which the upper may be secured by the usual mechanism which drives a tack through the tack carrier 80 to secure the upper-in lasted Position.

In lasting uppers of heavy material, especially at the toe, it is frequently desirable to slit the upper so that the upper can. be laid more smoothly upon the innersole. In Fig. 1 the machine is shown as provided with toe slitting mechanism organized substantially in accordance with the disclosure of the above-mentioned patent to Stiggins. In this construction two slitting knives 90 and 92 are provided which are operated one at a time to slit the upper in a direction toward its edge. The setting of the knee lever to cause plaiting movements to be imparted to the gripper, by which it is moved laterally toward the right and turned in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in 3. will push on a rod 91 connected to a slide 93. The slide 93 has a cam slot 95 engaged by a pin on a transverse slide 97 in which is a vertical groove 99.. This groove is engaged by a pin 101' extending through an actuator bar 94. Forward movement of the'rod 91 by the knee lever will. through the mechanism described, swingthe actuator 941. into engagement with a-rack bar 96 which is connected by segments 98. with arack 102 connected with the knife90. The construction is'such that movement of the-actuator 941. vertically by an appropriate cam on the cam shaft causes the knife 90 to advance to a position in front of the gripper and out of contact with the work, then to move toward the work and to return in a oath which carries the blade of the knife through the stock ii m.

timed relation to the final or unyield-ingportion of the updraw that the gripper will be out of the way of the knife in its cutting movement. For this purpose the actual slitting movement of the knife may take place just after the positive updraw movement has been effected, though of course there may be more or less overlapping of the finalup draw and the slitting operation provided the timing is such that the slitting knife will avoid contact with the gripper. Preferably, also, the plaiting movement has at least been initiated. prior to the slitting action of the knife since the plaiting movement of the gripper disposes the upper on the side of the gripper v where the slitting is to be effected in such a position as to enable the slitting knife to perform its work more advantageously.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Let'- te'rs Patent of the United States is:

l. .inupper pulling machine having, in

combination, a: gripper, gripper operating mechanism. for imparting a yielding pullto the upper, and means becoming effective during the pull for rendering the pull positive.

2 [in upper pulling machine having, in combination. a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull to the upper, and means becoming effective duringthe pull for causing the yielding quality of the pull to be eliminated.

An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull to the upper, and means becoming effective during the pull for cau ing the end portion of the pull to be positively effected.

a. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper, means for giving he gripper a yielding updraw movement, i ns for giving the gripper during upe W an overdraw movement, and nieans'be coining effective during the updraw for rendering the updraw unyielding.

In a machine of the class described having an updrawing gripper, the combination of an up'dra-w spring, and means becoming effective automatically during the action of the spring to prevent further action of said spring.

6. in an upper pulling machine, the combination of an upper pullinggripper, and

means for effectiiig a continuous divided updraw pull one portion of which is posit tive. r

7. In an upper pulling machine, the com bination of an upper pulling gripper, and

means for efiecting a continuous divided up{ draw pull one portion of WlllClilS positive and another portion yielding. 7

8. In an upperpulling machine, the combinat on of an upper pulling gripper, means for giving the gripper a yielding updraw movement, and means acting during the updraw movement to render the pull unyielding. F

9.. in an upper pulling machine, the com? bination of an upper pull ng gripper, means for giving the gripper a yielding updraw' movement, and means acting in timed relation to the updraiv movement torender the pull unyielding. w i c 10. In an upper pulling machine, the coinbination of an upper pulling gripper, means for giving the gripper a yielding upd'raw movement, and means acting automatically during the updraw movement to render the pull unyielding;

11. In an upper pulling machine, the combination of an upper pulling gripper, means 7 forgiving the gripper a yielding u-pdraw movement, and means actingautomatically w during the yielding movement to render the:

later part of the updraw pull positive.

12. An upper pulling machine having, in

combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull f to the upper, means becoming effective dur ing the pull for causing the end portion of' the pull to be positively effected, and means under control of the operator for varying the amount of positively effected pull.

13. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a. yielding pull to the upper, means becoming effective during the pull for causing the end portion of the the upper, means for causing the nature of r the pull to be changed automaticallydur-' iiig the pulling movement, and means under control of the operator for varying the point in the cycle when the automatic change will take place.

15. In an upper pulling machine, the como'ination of an upper pulling'gripper, means for giving the gripper a yielding npdraw movement, means acting automatically during the yielding movement to render the later part of the updraw pullfpositive, and

means for varying the time'in the updraw I the upper, and means under control of the movement when the updraw pull becomes positive. I

16. In an upper pulling machine, the combination of an upper pulling gripper, means for giving the gripper a yielding updraw movement, means acting automatically during the updraw to render the later part of the updraw pull positive and means under the operators control'to vary the time in the cycle during which the unyielding pull is effective. I

17. A gripper lasting machine adapted to operate successively upon different portions of the margin of a shoe upper, having a gripper and gripper operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraw motion, a positive updraw motion and an overdraw motion, and means for imparting to the gripper a plaiting motion prior to the overdraw motion and during the positive updraw motion. I

18. A gripper lasting machine that is adapted to operate successively on different portions of the margin of a shoe upper and that comprises a gripper and operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraw motion and a positive updraw motion, and means for imparting to the gripper an overdraw motion and a plaiting motion, said plaiting motion beginning during the positive updraw motion and continuing during the overdraw motion.

19. In a machine for working an upper over a last, the combination of means for pulling the upper variable amounts determined by the characteristics of the stock, and means for causing the pulling means to pull the upper an additional predetermined amount irrespectively of the characteristics of the stock.

20. In a machine for working an upper over a last, an updraw lever, a gripper connected thereto, a cam'for operating the lever, yielding connections between the cam and the lever, and means becoming effective at a predetermined point in the cycle of the machine for causing the cam to act directly upon the lever to actuate the lever positively to pull the upper.

21. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull to operator for causingthe yielding quality of the pull to be eliminated.

, 22. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yield-- ing pull to the upper, means becoming effective during the pull for causing the end portion of the pull to be positively efiected, and means under control of the operator for discontinuing the positive pull.

23. A machine for working anv upper over a last, having, n combination, a grlpper, gripvarying the time in the cycle when the posi+ tively effected pull will be initiated.

2A.- In a machine for working successive portions of an upper over a last progressively, the combination with a gripper constructed and arranged yieldingly to up draw, overdraw and plait the upper, of means for imparting a positive quality to the later portion of the updraw, means for initiating the plaiting movement during said portion of the updraw, upper slitting means, and means for operating the slittingmeans while the upper is being positively updrawn and after the plaiting movement has been initiated.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper for updrawing and overdrawing an upper, means for slitting the upper, and means for rendering the later portion of the updraw positive to carry the gripper away from the slitting means.

26. In a lasting machine having a gripper to which are imparted updraw, overdraw and plaiting movements, the combination of means acting automatically to cause the later portion of the updraw movement to be positively efiected, means for causing the plaiting movement to be initiated during the positively effected portion of the updraw, and means for slitting the upper after the plaiting movement has begun.

27. In a lasting machine having a gripper to which are imparted updraw, overdraw and plaiting movements, the combination of ower operated means for effecting the up raw at first yieldinglyand then positively, upper slitting means, and means for causing the slitting'means to slit the upper while the upper is positively updrawn. p V

28. A gripper lasting machine adapted to operate successively upon difierent portions of the margin of r a shoe upper, having a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraw motion, a positive updraw motion, an overdraw motion, and a plaiting motion which is initiated prior to the overdraw motion and during the positive updraw motion, and means for slitting the upper during the plaiting motion. 1

29. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, the combination of a gripper construeted and arranged to operate sucessively upon different portionsoi' the margin ofa shoe upper,means for operating the gripper to updraw the upper, means for operating the gripper to plait the upper, said means being constructed and arranged to initiate the plaiting movement prior to the completion of the updravv, means for imparting a positive quality to the later portionof the updraw, and means for slltting the upper operating in timed relation to the positlvely effected portion ofthe updraw.

30. A machine for orking an upper over a last, having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull to the upper, means for; imparting a positive quality to a portion or the pull, and upper slitting means operating in timed relation to the operation of said means.

81. 1% machine for Working an upper over a last, having, in 'combinatioma gripper, gripperoperating mechanism for impartlng a yielding pull to the upper, means becom: ing effective automatically during the pull to change the quality of the pull, and means for slitting the upper acting subsequently to said change.

32. A machine for Working an upper over aglast, having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull to the upper, means becoming eliecti've automatically during the pull to increase the pull and slitting means acting to slit the upper after the increased pull has carried the gripper out of the Way of the slitting means.

33. A machine for Working an upper over a last, having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a yielding pull to the upper, means becoming effective during the pull for rendering the pull positive to increase the movement of the gripper, and slitting means operating after said increased movement has been sufl'icient to avoid contact of the slitting means With the gripper.

B l. A machine for Working an upper over a last, having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting ielding pull to the upper, means becoming efiective during the pull for causing the end portion of the pull to be positively e f-c fected, and upper slitting means operating in timed relation to said means.

35. A machine for working an upper over a last, having, in combination, agripper, gripper operating mechanism for imparting a pull to the upper, means independent or" the gripper for slitting the upper, and means for causing the pull to be automatically increased during the pulling movement and prior to the action of the slitting means. i

36. A machine for Working an upper over a last, having, in combination, a gripper, gripper operatingmechanism for imparting a y1elding pull to the upper, means for slitting the upper While held by the gripper, and means becoming effective automatically during the pull to change the rate of pull prior to the action of the slitting means and avoid contact ofthe slitting'means with the gripper. I r

37. A gripper lasting machine that is adapted to operate successively on different portions of the margin of a shoe upper and that comprises a gripper and, operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraiv motion, a positive u-pdraw motion, an overdraW motion and a plaiting motion that is effected a plurality of times during each cycle of operation of the machine, slitting means, and means to operate the slitting means during the plaiting motion.

38. A gripper lasting .machine that is adapted to operate successively on difier'ent portions of the margin of a shoe upper and that comprises a gripper and operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraw motion, a positive updravv motion, and an overdraw motion, and means for imparting to the gripper a pl'aiting motion that is effected a plurality of times during each cycle of operation of the machine.

39. A gripper lasting machine that is adapted to operate successively on different portions of the margin of a shoe upper and that comprises a gripper and operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraw motion and a" positive updraw motion, and a Wiper constructed and arranged to pause in its movement in contact with the upper prior to the positive.up draw motion.

40. A gripper lasting machine that is adapted to operate successively on different portions of the margin of a shoe upper and that comprises a gripper and operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updraw motion and a positive updraiv motion, a Wiper, and means to cause the Wiper to move into contact with the upper prior to the positive updraW motion and to complete its'movement after the positive updraw motion. 7

41. A gripper lasting machine that is adapted to operate successively on different portions of the margin of a shoe upper andv that comprises a gripper and operating mechanism for imparting to the gripper a yielding updra-W motion and a positive updraw motion, awiper, and means for causpause during the positive updraw and then to wipe the upper into lasted position after the posltive updraW 18 completed.

42. In a machine of thecla'ss described, c an operating lever, a camJac-tuated sl de for ing the Wiper to engage the stock and press it against the edgeof the shoe bottom, to

ing it to engage the ratchet after a predetermined movement of the slide.

43. In a machine of the class described, a gripper, a lever for operating the gripper, a slide for operating the lever, yielding connections between the lever and the slide and means rendered operative by upper pulling movement of the slide for positively connecting the slide and lever.

4:4:- A lasting machine having, in combination, a gripper, a spring, and means to impart pulling movements to the gripper through the medium of the spring, a cam, and cam controlled power operated means for varying the pull imparted to the 15 gripper.

45. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a gripper for pulling a shoe upper, a power operated member for actuating the gripper, yielding connections 20 In testimony whereof I have signed my 25 name to this specification.

ARTHUR BATES. 

